Bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced to prevent youth opioid overdoses

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y) today introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act to educate children about the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and protect them from overdoses. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“As the mother of a high school student, it’s devastating to see the rise in opioid overdoses among our children, especially in schools,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Our bill will provide schools with the resources necessary to educate students on the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and help protect them from further tragedies. Congress must act now to save lives and protect families from this heartbreaking crisis.”

“The Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act will help schools in New York and across the nation get the resources they need to educate kids about the dangers of illicit drugs and prevent substance use or abuse before it even starts,” said Congressman Lawler. “I'm proud to be working in a bipartisan way to protect kids, save lives, and ensure that families across the country don't fall victim to substance use disorder.”

“Stamping out drug abuse in our communities and schools demands an all-hands approach. One piece of the puzzle is supporting drug prevention programs that educate young people about synthetic opioids and preventable resources,” said Senator Grassley. “I’m glad to support this vital and fiscally responsible bill to protect our next generation from the dangers of addiction.”

“Our bipartisan bill will help save lives by educating students and young people across the country about the dangers of synthetic opioids,” said Senator Shaheen. “We’ve made progress in recent years to stem the substance use epidemic, but there’s more we can and should do to ensure kids know just how deadly opioids can be. Our bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act would help do just that.”  

This bill would authorize a new $7 million grant program, allowing Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Coalition grantees to apply for additional funding to partner with elementary, middle and/or high schools to administer comprehensive, school-based substance abuse prevention programs. The director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy would oversee the coordination and implementation of these new grants.

The share of drug-related fatalities involving fentanyl is increasing faster among youths than adults, more than doubling since 2018. In 2023, 76 percent of all youth drug overdoses were due to fentanyl, compared to 69 percent for adults. That same year, seven out of every ten counterfeit opioid pills were found by the Drug Enforcement Administration to contain a potentially deadly dose of the drug.

This bill is endorsed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Georgia Alcohol Policy Alliance, Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy, MATFORCE, Area Substance Abuse Council, Treatment Communities of America, National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Partnership to End Addiction, Safe States, Community Impact North Carolina, National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives, Student Assistance Services Corporation, National HIDTA Director’s Association, Learn About Sam, To End Addiction, WestCare Foundation, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, Becca Schmill Foundation, Victims of Illicit Drugs, Alexander Neville Foundation, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse, Los Angeles Unified School District and Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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